Using CGI in movies is a pretty risky endeavor. When it’s bad, it’s this glaring record-scratch moment that takes us right out of the movie. When it’s great, we just stare in jaw-dropping wonderment.

The term “movie magic” may seem like an exaggeration, but there’s a fair amount of wizardry that goes into making your favorite films and TV shows. Often, CGI is front and center in bringing a project ...